Curated OER
Building With Triangles
Fourth graders use two different techniques to construct triangles with specific dimensions. They determine how to construct nets for three-dimensional objects focusing on those made with equilateral triangles. They are able to name the...
Curated OER
Pyramids & Prisms: Guler's Formula
Sixth graders compare and contrast two-dimensional shapes to three-dimensional shapes. After watching a demonstration, they make their own shapes using nets printed on paper. To end the lesson, they use the shapes they made and...
Curated OER
2D and 3D figures
In this 2D and 3D figure instructional activity, students name different shapes and decide if they are polygons or not. Students complete 8 problems.
University of Georgia
University of Georgia: Inter Math: Platonic Solids
This site gives a description of platonic solids along with a visual representation of each of the five platonic solids. At the bottom of the page are links to cut-out-templates for each of the platonic solids. Be sure to follow the...
Math Is Fun
Math Is Fun: Platonic Solids: Why Five?
Use Euler's Formula and properties of known platonic solids' faces, edges, and vertices to determine why only five platonic solids exist.
Wolfram Research
Wolfram Math World: Platonic Solids
This site, which is provided for by Math World, is a lengthy site describing the various properties and mathematical explanations of the figures.
University of Waterloo (Canada)
University of Waterloo: Cemc: Math Circles: 3 D Geometry Ii [Pdf]
This worksheet provides a variety of 3D geometry questions requiring higher order thinking skills. Questions include; finding the surface area of a prism, surface area of pyramid, surface area of a sphere, and platonic solids.
Oswego City School District
Regents Exam Prep Center: Platonic Solids
Did you know that the five regular platonic solids (tetrahedron, octahedron, icosahedron, cube, and dodecahedron) were thought to represent earth, air, fire, water, and the universe? This chart shows an image and provides a description...
Maths Challenge
Maths challenge.net: Platonic Solids
A "three star geometry problem" requiring knowledge of how to complete geometric proofs to prove that there are no more than five regular convex polyhedra.
University of Georgia
University of Georgia: Inter Math: Octahedron
The octahedron is defined and illustrated. Links access related terms, everyday examples, challenging problems, and an interactive checkpoint involving octahedrons and other platonic solids.
Wolfram Research
Wolfram Math World: Tetrahedron
This math site defines a tetrahedron, gives reference to the Platonic solid, and gives views from varying perspectives. It also provides formulas for veritices of a tetrahedron lieing along the the positive X axis, formulas for area,...
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
The Math Forum: Ask Dr. Math: Polyhedra Classification
This question and answer site provides a lot of basic information about polyhedra. The five regular polyhedra, "The Platonic Solids," are described.
Math Is Fun
Math Is Fun: Making 3 D Solids
This tutorial features templates and instructions to make the following solids: tetrahedron, cube, octahedron, dodecahedron, and icosahedron.
Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College: Mqed: Geometry in Art and Architecture
Learners learn about art and mathematics. Topics include the golden ratio, platonic solids, and number symbolism. The learning resource includes a description, requirements, syllabus, and bibliography.
University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas: Elementary Math Club: Math Mobile
Learners explore the geometric and topological properties of three-dimensional objects. The lesson plan includes an overview and a lesson toolkit.
Curated OER
Math Academy Online: Prime the Platonic Solids
An informative site on the nature of Platonic Solids and what constitutes these figures.
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
The Math Forum: Pictures of Icosahedrons
This site from Dr. Math and the Math Forum provides several links to pictures of icosahedrons. The information is somewhat brief, but worth checking out for a background on the subject.
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
The Math Forum: Angles of an Octahedron
This question and answer site from The Math Forum with Dr. Math discusses the angle between two adjacent faces of an octahedron. Links are also provided for additional information on related subjects.
Cool Math
Coolmath: Coolmath4kids: Polyhedra Gallery
A gallery of complex polyhedra with descriptions and characteristics.